The Last Temptation

I fell asleep with Christ 
last night, his wasted arms
around my neck. Who was
hanging onto whom?

Summer had gone dragging
roses in her skirts
and my hair struggled down
my shoulder like Magdalene's.
I told him I wasn't up
to washing his feet.

I wanted him to touch me
but he just lay there asking
did I know what it was like
to be crucified.

When I turned on the light,
he looked like any other man
waiting for the woman to go first.


Paternity

My children all have different dads-
losers every one.
Oh, they talked big: Scott's Dad
said he was saving for a hardware store,
turned out it was my money
he had in mind
and K-Mart didn't pay me too good
but he was a sweet-looking man.
Said he could get any woman
he wanted.  I cried
until Susie's came along.
My, what a big man.  Jesus,
I fell hard.  He loved my cooking
and my wide hips
but he loved his whiskey more.
Wasn't going to press charges
but he hurt me real bad.
He's out now;
they don't keep 'em long.
The baby has blue eyes.
I've narrowed her daddy down
to two;  Chester wants to move in.

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